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Activity roundup: Brazil, India and more

With just 40 days remaining to 14 November, we place the spotlight on Brazil where the member associations of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and other aligned groups are gearing up for another impressive variety of awareness and education activities throughout the vast country to mark World Diabetes Day 2012. Here is a snapshot of some of the events that will take place:

FENAD, the Federation of National Diabetes Associations, will be holding their 15th annual nationwide campaign aimed at promoting diabetes awareness and the prevention of diabetes and its complications. Targeting over 1,000 cities, the campaign hopes to engage more than 1 million people in activities that include free screenings and tests for diabetes complications; walks; competitions for school children involving drawing, poetry and storytelling; and exhibitions promoting healthy nutrition. The association is also inviting local governments, institutions and laboratories to join the Blue Monument Challenge and light their buildings in blue for diabetes.

SBD, the Brazilian Diabetes Society, has unveiled its website dedicated to World Diabetes Day - [insert link] - which encourages its members and the public to go blue for diabetes this November. It has also launched its version of Blue Fridays, inviting people to post pictures on Facebook of themselves wearing blue for diabetes and will once again be giving out awards to the best diabetes flash mobs organised throughout the country for World Diabetes Day. On 14 November, the Association will be holding a day-long awareness event in one of the main metro stations in the capital Brasilia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Catholic University of Brasilia
.

ADJ, the Juvenile Diabetes Association of Brazil, will be focusing its awareness activities in Sao Paulo, where it will organise free diabetes screenings in a number of shopping malls and light several local monuments and landmarks in blue to mark the day.

Get a glimpse of other planned activities around the world by visiting our online events calendar and don't forget to send us your information on how you will be marking this special day for the diabetes community.

As communicated previously, IDF will be focusing its own World Diabetes Day awareness activities in India where it is partnering with local associations on a nationwide campaign that will have its main events in three cities: Chennai, New Delhi and Mumbai. A month-long series of activities targeting health professionals and the general public - including surveys, screening drives, and walkathons - will be highlighted by "Diabetes Blue Fortnight, which will see over 30 monuments and buildings throughout the country go blue for diabetes in November.

WDD postcard exchange: create, connect and be active

The World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange was created with the aim of connecting people affected by diabetes all over the world with each other during the month of November in celebration of World Diabetes Day and Diabetes Awareness Month. Participants send and receive handmade postcards with assigned Postcard Buddies, using the blue circle - the global symbol of diabetes - in their design.

Diabetes can be a lonely disease and isolation can lead to loss of motivation. The Postcard Exchange provides a unique way to connect with other people with diabetes and also raise awareness outside the diabetes community. Find out more and view the gallery of postcards that were sent in 2011. Registration is open until 1 November.

Blue Circle Champion spotlight: Charles Mattocks

Charles is active in promoting health and wellness by educating people on how to eat healthy and affordable meals. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011, Charles is active in promoting "The Diabetic You" a movement which aims to help educate and inspire people with diabetes to live the best life that they can.

This November 14, Charles will be marking World Diabetes Day by visiting the Warren/Holyfield Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta, Georgia. He will offer free blood sugar testing for staff members, parents, and volunteers and talk to the students and adults about diabetes and the importance of exercise and healthy eating in prevention and management. He will also be giving away a number of prizes such as gym memberships to help get people on the right track to better health.

Blue Circle Champions are high-profile individuals with or affected by diabetes that provide inspiration to the millions living with diabetes around the world.

WDD Hero spotlight: Santosh Gupta

World Diabetes Day heroes are individuals that have been nominated by others for their efforts to engage, motivate and lead others to live healthier lives.

Dr. Santosh Gupta retired from her profitable practice of 37 years to help disadvantaged people with diabetes in India. In 2007, she founded the Manav Seva Foundation which currently supports over 2,000 people with diabetes, including many children, and has supplied over 3,000 vials of lifesaving insulin and 30,000 blood glucose test strips. Her success is seen in her individual care, particularly in her model, which has been endorsed by several international health programmes, focused on teaching people with diabetes to live normal lives despite their poverty.

Blue Monument Challenge: 200 and counting

Almost 200 monuments and buildings have confirmed their participation in this year’s Blue Monument Challenge. Japan is currently leading the way with over 80 confirmed lightings. Here are the latest confirmations to have come in: